Currently, there are different types of viruses that are capable of manipulating your entire system/computer, preventing the internet from functioning properly, deleting files and programs, among other harms.
As such, it is critical to take protective measures to prevent these attacks and keep your computer network safe.
With that in mind, we designed this article to help you learn more about 6 types of viruses and how to protect yourself from them. Read on to find out more!
What is the virus?
Companies that do not have security in their IT infrastructure can suffer from virtual attacks caused by viruses.
They are malicious programs that generate copies of themselves, spreading the infection across the entire network.
With this, they slow down the computer, cause system crashes and shutdowns, in addition to bringing enormous harm to organizations that are victims of this virtual crime: deletion of private files and exposure of confidential information.
Be aware that, in order to be activated, the different types of viruses must be executed. Therefore, it is possible that, at this time, you have hidden viruses and not active in specific files or programs on your system.
The first step to being able to protect yourself from them, avoiding security breaches, is to get to know them more deeply. For that, check out the following topic.
What are the 6 main types of viruses?
Viruses can wreak havoc especially for businesses, causing billions of dollars in losses.
In fact, in 2019, a computer called “The Persistence of Chaos” was auctioned for R$5 million for containing six different devastating viruses that, in total, generated losses of US$95 billion.
Have you ever imagined suffering such a loss because of a malicious program? Therefore, it is essential to be very careful with the protection of your computer network.
Below, we list 6 types of viruses for you to be aware of and protect yourself properly. Check out!
1. Keylogger
This virus captures all the data that is typed by the user on the computer. Basically, it is software that monitors, stores and sends information to a third person.
With this, it is possible to use bank details, emails and passwords from the user's social networks.
2. Spyware
Like the previous one, spyware serves to collect information from the user and send it to whoever distributes the infected files.
This software can track a person's steps, changing the content of pages to direct the user to download other types of viruses.
Thus, in addition to collecting the information entered by the user, he is able to change the computer's configuration and install other software.
3. Adware
Adware is a malicious program that is very easy to be identified, as it is those pop-up ads that appear on the pages, that is, they are unwanted advertisements.
There are adware that are only intended to cause annoyance to users, while others collect your information to display targeted advertisements.
4. Ransomware
The attacks made by ransomware are very dangerous, as it makes it impossible for the normal functioning of the activities carried out on the computer.
This type of virus encrypts your company's data, blocking access, and even a payment is usually required for this access to be released again. Otherwise, commands for permanent deletion of files are issued.
The attack works as follows: messages are sent to network users, encouraging the download of the infected file by simulating real content.
Then, when the software is downloaded and activated, it scans the network for a security hole, gaining access to internal systems and verifying private information.
5. Backdoor
Backdoor viruses often appear in emails and web pages, allowing hackers to tamper with your machine by opening the “back door”, which is the router port.
To carry out this attack, the program looks for flaws in installed applications as well as outdated programs.
With this, offenders can do whatever they want on your computer, including making it more susceptible to other attacks.
6. Trojan Horse
The famous Trojan is a spyware that captures user information through keylogger, backdoor and screenlogger (records the pages you access).
This is a dangerous virus that manages to run on your computer unnoticed. It can appear in emails, music and video downloads, malicious websites, among others.
In this way, the hacker has access to all activities carried out on the machine, and can later use the information against the user.
Furthermore, this virus makes your computer susceptible to installation of other malicious programs.
How to properly protect yourself from these types of viruses?
As you can see, there are several types of viruses that carry out specific attacks, but the objective is the same: harm the user.
Although this is harmful for common users, who use the computer for their own service, the situation becomes even worse when it affects companies, generating losses in the billions, as we saw earlier.
Can you imagine losing your business by exposing confidential data? Therefore, it is essential to equip your computer network with data protection.
So it's up to the IT team to provide the essential resources for information security. For this, there are some important steps, such as:
- encrypt information on handheld devices;
- perform two-step authentication;
- control access;
- remove autorun on removable disks connection;
- train all employees to identify malicious content;
- apply spam filter on messages that have executable files;
- create cloud storage so users can exchange files without attaching them to emails;
- use software aimed at digital security;
- update the system and programs.
Thus, there are several actions that the IT team can take to prevent virtual attacks. Therefore, it is important for your company to have collaborators specialized in this field and, thus, it is possible to avoid data leakage or deletion.
This is an effective strategy to keep your computer network secure, making file handling safer among users.
Did you see how essential it is to be very careful with the different types of viruses that exist? If you want to further improve your knowledge on the subject, check out the importance of information security!
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